Interview of Mari Koski, osteopath
Photo by Helena Eslon
How did you discover osteopathy and what made you choose this career?
Before being introduced to osteopathy, I was working as a freelance writer and editor. I have a university degree in literature studies and philosophy. Experiencing some health issues I found osteopathy to my aid. I was astonished by its effectiveness and the whole person approach. It was fascinating to feel the subtle changes in my body during the treatment and eventually I got free from difficult traveling hand pain and menstruation pain. I had been doing pilates for some time, and while lying on the table I could feel my body align in a similar manner without using any muscles. I got treated with more straight techniques as well, but I think it was this experience of my own body’s intelligence at work that really made me want to learn more. So I applied for the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and got in at the first try.
Your approach is very gentle. Which techniques do you use and how does it work?
Yes, from the beginning it was clear that I would be using soft techniques since it is easy for me to feel the microscopic movements, tensions and fluctuations in the body. Often times lasting results follow gentle approach. We learn the same techniques in school, but every osteopath has her own handwriting so to speak. When it comes to techniques I utilize most fascial and functional techniques, cranial osteopathy and within it the biodynamic model. Originally osteopathy has not been about techniques, but philosophy of treatment. We try to see the whole of the patient and make sure the structure and function work reciprocally, so that the body can express health. First of the tenets of osteopathic medicine says that the body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit. I try to respect that and wish to do it better every day.
The frame in which we work and study extensively is anatomy, including physiology and the functional side of anatomy. So everything that happens in the treatment comes down to anatomy, body systems and body’s own self-regulatory mechanisms that work without our help. I can help your body best by giving it a little directions, but the real correcting movements come from within.
Fascial manual techniques have been studied during the recent years and my approach includes fascial work. Fascial tissue actually surrounds and assembles the body mechanically and provides the underlay for the fluids to move in the body. The central nervous system and fascia are communicating all the time through different types of receptor cells located all around body. Recent studies have shown that fascial receptors react to very gentle touch and minimal amount of pressure. I have learned that steady and gentle touch is effective and it also has it’s place in the research map for manual treatment.
Who is this man on the picture?
The man in the picture is Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917), the father of Osteopathy. He was a medical doctor and surgeon who worked in the frontiers of the American Civil War, explorer of anatomy, and a man who lost most of his family to spinal meningitis. Dr. Still was frustrated with the medical treatment of his time (whisky, mercury, ineffective surgery etc.) and searched for cures more in line with nature. He used bodily manipulations to successfully cure infectious diseases like flux (dysentery). He was acquainted with spiritual movements of his time and inspired by Native American traditional treatment methods. First Osteopathic medical school was founded in 1892 and Osteopathic Medicine continues to be a branch of medical studies in US where all osteopaths are full licensed DO’s (doctor of osteopathy) beside MD’s (medical doctor). In Europe osteopathy is a health care profession of its own and takes 4-5 years to finish. In Finland osteopaths are registered and supervised by Valvira.
You treat pregnant people. What are the common symptoms of pregnancy that you treat here? Are there contraindications to osteopathic treatment?
The most common symptoms pregnant people come with are lower back pain and pains in the pelvic area. Also quite common are breathing problems, tiredness and swelling. Pregnancy brings big musculoskeletal and hormonal changes that alter the normal biomechanics and those changes are often followed by ligamentous strains, muscle tensions and decreased range of motion. Many times diaphragm is found to be tensed, affecting the quality of breathing and fluid exchange within the body. Osteopathic treatment aims to balance these changes and also cultivate feelings of calm, well-being and relaxation. There are few contraindications to osteopathic treatment in general, but certain techniques are outruled for pregnancy. As health care professionals osteopaths are trained to recognize the red flags and refer to a physician.
Can you help an expectant person to have an easier birth? How? Do you help with breech babies or do you do ”natural inductions”?
There are several changing factors concerning birth. It is impossible to predict them all. We work with the whole of the person and I believe balancing the whole is the key in any preventive health care interventions. This said, in osteopathy we have effective treatment methods for biomechanically balancing the pelvis, releasing tension from areas important for normal birth ( i.e. diaphragm, psoas, pelvic floor, jawline), enhancing the fluid flow and affecting the autonomous nervous system. In breech positions I work with the body in a way that it can provide better chances for the baby to turn by itself. Natural inductions are a part of my repertoire also.
Why is it important to consult after the birth, for the person who gave birth but also for the baby? What about c-section or episiotomy scars? What about if the pudendal nerve has been injured?
Consultation after birth is advisable if there has been any complications, the birth has been prolonged or the fetal presentation has been challenging. In general consulting can be a good idea for all because there can be factors mother or parents are not aware of. Some problems may start as minor, but if unattended can lead to symptoms. To name a few possible conditions in a baby: strains or compressions in thoracic outlet, neck and occiput, strain in the head and vertical fasciae due to forceps used in delivery, bodily compressions in breech babies, craniofacial compressions in cephalic posterior babies etc. The most common symptoms that babies come to see me are reflux, colic, asymmetries in the body, tongue tie issues and constipation.
After the birth osteopathy can help the body to recover faster. In C-sections both the person who gave birth and the baby are good to treat as soon as possible. Scars can be treated after the wound is closed properly. Gentle stretches and localised soft tissue work help to remodel the scar tissue by promoting the release of collagen fibres as well as the vascular and lymphatic supply to the area. Nerve injuries need special medical care, but with osteopathic treatment it is possible to help the circulation in the area concerned and that way make the conditions better for healing.
You recently organised a breakfast in a café with a pilates teacher friend of yours to introduce your services. How did it go? Do you have more events to come? Any new project?
That was fun! I love to talk about osteopathy and I’m very pleased I have found Pilates Gym Jatta for co-operation. We talked about how osteopathy and pilates can help you during the pregnancy and postpartum. Jatta told about using pilates in diastasis recti (abdominal separation). It went well and I believe we will do it again. We have already planned a workshop where you will have a chance to learn and explore effects of osteopathy and pilates combined. Currently I’m busy with the office and post-graduate courses in biodynamic osteopathy and children’s osteopathy.
What’s your motto?
I don’t have a motto, but this quote by Rumi resonates in me:
Respond to every call that excites your spirit.
Photo by Philippe Perov